Hong Kong catering industry promotes “Lucky Bus” shuttling between tourist spots, bar industry calls for withdrawal of liquor tax.

Legislative Council member Rong Haian, together with representatives from the hotel, restaurant, retail, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), held a press conference in Hong Kong on the 3rd, suggesting that the government should strategically “capture tourists” during the summer holidays, by establishing a “tourism big data platform” to assist the industry in making decisions. They also proposed setting up “artificial intelligence travel commissioners” to tailor personalized itineraries for travelers. The Restaurant Association president, Wong Jiawo, advocated for the Hong Kong government to emulate Macau and introduce “wealth buses” to shuttle tourists to different attractions and shopping malls. The bar industry recommended that the government eliminate liquor taxes to reduce operating costs.

The Hong Kong government had earlier announced a total of 210 major events for the year. Rong Haian believes that the government should collaborate with these events and provide comprehensive support to various related industries to assist in economic recovery. She proposed the establishment of “artificial intelligence travel commissioners” to help travelers customize their itineraries and save time in planning. Additionally, the government should encourage the development of applications such as smart guides and electronic ticketing to provide travelers with intelligent services.

Wong Jiawo pointed out that in the past two months, there have been 6 to 7 million people traveling northward each month, directly impacting the Hong Kong restaurant industry. He suggested that the government enhance support in areas such as food safety regulation and employee training to help dining enterprises improve service quality. In addition to the “wealth buses,” he believes the government should consider organizing island tours and developing water activities in places like Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, making Hong Kong an “international maritime activities center.”

The Executive Director of the Hong Kong Hotel Owners Association, Hu Yingwei, stated that the industry still faces a shortage of manpower, coupled with increased electricity and potential water fee hikes, which poses pressure on operating costs. He recommended that the government notify the industry two quarters in advance of event schedules to allow businesses to plan tourism products and enhance promotion.

Madam Mak Mei Yee, the Honorary Chairwoman of the Hong Kong SME Association, suggested that the government could offer temporary entry facilitation and tariff incentives to exhibition participants from events, and provide industry information seminars and activities beyond exhibitions to extend their stay in Hong Kong. Collaborating with cities in the Greater Bay Area could facilitate their participation in regional exhibitions, boosting incentives for participating in Hong Kong exhibitions.

Xiao Guowei, Chairman of the SME Connect Institute, pointed out that many SMEs actively organize events but lack a platform for publicity. He hopes the Hong Kong government can establish an information platform to disclose details of small-scale events and assist SMEs in digital transformation to provide comprehensive electronic payment services.

Qian Junyong, Chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Industry Association, mentioned that due to the high cost-effectiveness of northbound consumption, it has become a trend among Hong Kong people. However, high rents and labor costs are difficult to reduce. The government considering the elimination of liquor taxes is expected to reduce operating costs by 7% for the industry. Taking a bar with a daily turnover of HK$300,000 as an example, this could increase income by 10,000 to 20,000 Hong Kong dollars. Additionally, the government should provide bar discounts for event attendees.